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Which one is better, the HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB or HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB? We did a deep-dive comparison categorised by purpose of use!

Created date: 2018-09-30 21:32:45, Updated date: 2021-10-20 18:42:02

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GBHTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB
HTC One S9 (2016) 16GBHTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

Which do we recommend after comparing the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"? We evaluated the differences between the two models. This article is recommended for those who are trying to choose between the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB".

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GBHTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB
HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

General rating:
Griprating-image3.1
61/100
rating-image2.5
50/100
Screen qualityrating-image3.5
70/100
rating-image4.2
84/100
Performancerating-image3.6
71/100
rating-image3.4
67/100
Storage sizerating-image3.5
70/100
rating-image4.5
90/100
Batteryrating-image4.5
89/100
rating-image4.4
88/100
Rear-camera resolutionrating-image3.6
72/100
rating-image3.5
70/100
Front-camera resolutionrating-image3.0
60/100
rating-image5.0
100/100

What is the difference between the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"? See a detailed comparison of ease of use and performance

Comparison of weight and size of the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"

The design of HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

The "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" is 144.6mm long, 69.7mm wide, and 10.1mm thick. It weighs 158.0g.

The design of HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" is 162.4mm long, 79.8mm wide, and 8.0mm thick. It weighs 170.0g.

Which is the better design to use?

In comparison, the size difference is 17.8mm in length, 10mm in width, and 2mm in thickness. Those who are looking for a phone they can use one-handedly will find the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" easier to use and carry around. Flick typing is easier on the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB", making it relatively more user-friendly. Also, "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" is more compact than "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" and less bulky for the user to carry around.

The difference in weight is 12g. "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" weighs less than "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" and is easier to handle.

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

Ease of holding it in one hand70/10054/100
How much it does not feel heavy to hold in one hand47/10039/100
Ease of carrying around63/10055/100

Compare the display of the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"

Display of the HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

The "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" uses a Super LCD liquid crystal. The resolution is 1080 x 1920, and the pixel density is 440ppi. The "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" has a 5.0inch screen size.

Display of the HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" uses a Super LCD5 liquid crystal. The resolution is 1440 x 2560, and the pixel density is 515ppi. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has a 5.7inch screen size.

Which has a better screen?

This makes a 0.7inch difference in the display sizes. Lining up the displays side by side makes the difference in size clearly visible. "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has a bigger display that is easier to use, especially for looking things up on the Internet and using social media. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has the necessary specs for this kind of purpose. In the gaming end, the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" offers a more suitable screen size. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has the necessary specs for this kind of purpose.

In terms of display, the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" is a better choice for those looking to use their phone for browsing the web or for gaming. When using the smartphone as a VR, the screen is generally held much closer to the face than when using the smartphone for other purposes, and so the clarity of the screen becomes a rather important factor. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" also offers a crisp, cleaner display when using a VR headset than the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB". Both the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" can be easily used for this kind of purpose.

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

How suited is the screen for usual usage?68/10073/100
How suited is the screen to play games on?60/10075/100

Compare the camera performances of the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"

Camera performance of HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

The main camera of the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" has 13.0MP. The front camera has 4.0MP.

Camera performance of HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

The main camera of the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has 12.0MP. The front camera has 16.0MP.

Which camera performance is better?

The back cameras thus have a 1MP difference in comparison. There is very little difference in the performance (or pixel count) of "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" when shooting distant objects or Instagrammable landscapes. Also, when using the rear camera to snap close shots of photogenic sweets or meals, there is very little difference between the pixel counts of the two phones. Both the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" can be easily used for this kind of purpose.

There is a 12MP difference in front camera pixel number. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"'s front camera also works terrifically well with selfie sticks and for capturing distant objects like the background scenery in your selfies. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has the necessary specs for this kind of purpose. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"'s front camera has a more suitable megapixel count for shooting objects up close for selfies and such.

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

Is is suited to taking far away objects with the rear camera?72/10070/100
Is it suited for taking close objects with the built-in camera?60/100100/100

Comparison of the processing capabilities of the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"

The processing capability of the HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

Performance is defined by the chipset, and the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" uses the Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 SoC. The CPU performance is 2.0GHz×8(8.0-cores). The memory capacity is 2.0GB.

The processing capability of the HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

Performance is defined by the chipset, and the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" uses the Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 SoC. The CPU performance is 2.15GHz+1.6GHz×4(4.0-cores). The memory capacity is 4.0GB.

Which has the better processing capability?

As compared to the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB", the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" boasts boasts a better CPU and specs. This is a 2GB difference in memory capacity. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has more memory storage, making the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" work better for multitasking or running 3D games.

For using fundamental features such as calls, emails, messages and using SNS, I am more inclined to recommend the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB". Users looking for a phone to meet their web browsing and video playing needs, with the occasional game every now and then, should definitely go for the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB". The "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" has the necessary specs for this kind of purpose.

The "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" runs 2D games and simple 3D games much more smoothly, making it the better choice in this area. Functionality is about the same for full-scale 3D games, no matter which phone model is used.

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

Review on the CPU capbility and memory capacity when using Social Networks or the Internet84/10077/100
Review on the CPU speed and the memory capacity while playing 3D games58/10060/100

Comparison of the battery life of the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"

Battery performance of HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

The "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" has a battery capacity of 2840.0mAh.

Battery performance of HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has a battery capacity of 3000.0mAh.

Which battery perfomances is better?

This makes a difference in battery capacity of 160mAh, but it is not enough to only compare the capacity. With a high-performance CPU, the battery drains faster, and a larger screen also uses more battery.

If you only use it to make phone calls or checking the time there is no large difference between them. For looking things up online, checking SNS, playing games occasionally or for most frequent use, it doesn't feel like there is much difference between the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB". Both the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" can be easily used for this kind of purpose.

If you're using it frequently, for example playing games for a long time or using it to watch movies, you may feel no difference between the two devices. Both the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" can be easily used for this kind of purpose.

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

Review on the battery life of a phone mainly using Social Networks and the Internet89/10088/100
Review on the battery life of a phone mainly using mainly games and videos77/10076/100

Compare the storage capacity of the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"

The storage capacity of the HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

The "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" has 16.0GB of internal memory. It is also compatible with SD cards, so when there is insufficient storage space, then a SD card can be used to add more storage. A SD with a maximum of 1024.0GB can be used.

The storage capacity of the HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has 128.0GB of internal memory. It is also compatible with SD cards, so when there is insufficient storage space, then a SD card can be used to add more storage. A SD with a maximum of 1024.0GB can be used.

Which has the easier storage to use?

The difference in internal memory is about 112GB. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" offers plenty of storage for those looking to use a few social media apps and games. Avid gamers should look to the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" for fulfilling their storage needs, as the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" unfortunately falls behind here. The "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" has the necessary specs for this kind of purpose.

When the storage added with a SD card is included, then the difference is about 112GB. Because the speed of loading from or saving to the SD card is slow, it is suited for saving pictures or videos. If you want to save long videos or save lots of photos, it does not make much difference whether you choose "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" or "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB". Both the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" can be easily used for this kind of purpose.

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

Review on the storage capacity when playing many games70/10090/100
Review on when you store many pictures and videos96/10096/100

Which to buy, the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" or "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"

At the end of the day which is better, the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" or "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB"?

If you're looking for something that's easy to hold, the compact "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" is a great choice. Its perfect screen size of 5.7inch makes the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" a lot easier to use. There isn't much difference between "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" in terms of performance or specifications. When comparing "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" and "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" overall, "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" is a more balanced model and is recommended.

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB

HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB

Handling61/10050/100
Display70/10084/100
CPU specs71/10067/100
General rating69/10076/100

Is it recommended to buy the HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB, compared with other smartphones?

Compared to other smart phones, the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" has a size that is easy to hold, and looks compact. It can be easily operated with one hand. The screen size is larger than that of standard smartphones. It is suited for typing long texts and so can be used to read or edit office texts. In addition, its processing capabilities are of a slightly higher specification compared to the average smart phone, and can be said to be more than adequate for normal use. However, its performance may feel slightly inadequate when playing 3D games and such. Looking at the overall specifications, the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" is a middle-range to high-end smart phone.

Is it recommended to buy the HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB, compared with other smartphones?

Compared to other smartphones, the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" is averagely easy to hold. Although it can be a little difficult, it is the right size to be able to operate with one hand. The screen size is larger than that of standard smartphones. It is suited for typing long texts and so can be used to read or edit office texts. In addition, its processing capabilities are of a slightly higher specification compared to the average smart phone, and can be said to be more than adequate for normal use. However, its performance may feel slightly inadequate when playing 3D games and such. Looking at the overall specifications, the "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" is a middle-range to high-end smart phone.

What are the spec differences between the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB" ?

A summary of the technical specifications of the "HTC One S9 (2016) 16GB" and "HTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB". Functions and performance variations on the same model will be highlighted in red.

HTC One S9 (2016) 16GBHTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB
HTC One S9 (2016) 16GBHTC U Ultra (2017) 128GB
ColorSilver/GoldBrilliant Black/Cosmetic Pink/Ice White/Sapphire Blue
OSAndroidAndroid
Dimensions (width x height x thickness)69.7mm x 144.6mm x 10.1mm79.8mm x 162.4mm x 8.0mm
Weight158.0g170.0g
Display size5.0inch5.7inch
Display typeSuper LCDSuper LCD5
Screen resolution (width x height)1080 x 19201440 x 2560
Pixel density440ppi515ppi
Battery capacity2840.0mAh3000.0mAh
ChipsetMediatek MT6795 Helio X10Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821
CPU specs2.0GHz×8(8.0-cores)2.15GHz+1.6GHz×4(4.0-cores)
RAM size2.0GB4.0GB
Storage size16.0GB128.0GB
Rear-camera resolution13.0MP12.0MP
Front-camera resolution4.0MP16.0MP

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